February 12-13, 2008 - The United Nations
International Year of Planet Earth Global Launch Event
Paris, France

The IYPE is a joint initiative by the IUGS and UNESCO, running from 2007 until 2009. The UN General Assembly proclaimed it as the “UN International Year for Planet Earth 2008”. The IYPE”s subtitle, “Earth Science for Society” embodies its goal of application of Earth Sciences to building a global society that is safe, healthy, prosperous, and inclusive. 

The IYPE Global Launch Event will bring together political leaders, government officials, industry executives, geoscientists, and students from around the world to discuss such issues as climate change, earth resources, geohazards, and population.

Throughout 2008 and 2009 there will be a series of IYPE-related science and outreach efforts in some 50-75 countries, including the US, emphasizing IYPE’s main themes: Groundwater, Hazards, Earth and Health, Climate Change, Resources, Megacities, Deep Earth, Oceans, Soil, and Earth and life.     

The International Year of Planet Earth corresponds with UC Davis’ Centennial Year. The UCD Geology Department is planning a series of events to coincide with this Year. In addition, the opening of UCD’s new Earth and Physical Sciences Bldg. is scheduled for 2009, within the 2007-2009 IYPE Triennium. 

In his capacity as Vice President of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), Eldridge Moores, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geology, UCD, will attend the official opening of the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE)